Sample Master’s Qualifying Exam Questions
[NB: you would not be necessarily be expected to command this information at the beginning of your Master’s degree study, but if, as a matriculating student, you find yourself unable to answer a majority of the questions completely, you should consider remedial and/or review work in advance of your exit examinations.]
Please be prepared to discuss each of the following topics in a well-organized response, citing relevant works, composers, and cultural/contextual factors. Please be as specific as possible, cite specific compositions or other primary sources as your evidence, and plan for a logical response focusing on the most important factors to be completed within the available time period.
Medieval
Select at least three significant pedagogical or theoretical works and discuss their impact upon and reflection of compositional developments between a1400-1600CE.
Discuss the development of polyphonic secular song in the 15th century, citing at least 3 pieces as examples
Baroque:
Discuss considerations of form, harmony, and dramatic technique in Baroque opera from Monteverdi through Handel
Discuss, using at least 3 examples, trends in sacred choral composition of the Baroque from Giovanni Gabrieli through Handel.
Classical:
Describe, analyze, and contrast Mozart's Viennese operas in the buffa tradition.
Discuss the development of symphonic style from Mozart through Beethoven.
Discuss the development of the string quartet from Haydn through Beethoven.
Romantic/19th century:
Offer a definition, examples, and discussion of the phenomenon of "nationalism" in late-19th and early-20th century composition. Please cite at least five different composers' works from at least three different geographical origins, and be sure to cite political or philosophical motives for these works.
Use at least three significant compositions to explore the development of the symphonic tradition from Beethoven through Brahms. Include considerations of form, harmonic language, thematic/motivic implications, and the contrast of "programmatic" versus "absolute" idioms.
Discuss the philosophy, motivations, and development of impressionism (with definition) in works of Satie, Ravel, and Debussy.
20th Century:
Citing orchestral compositions from Wagner through John Adams, discuss changes in form, harmonic language, and orchestration (and other factors where relevant).
Discuss the development of American modernist/experimentalist musical styles in works of Ives, Copland, Gershwin, Still, Seeger (or others)
Discuss at least three new sources (instruments, texts, social/cultural/contextual influences, other) from outside the world of composition for musical ideas pursued by composers in the 20th century. Cite relevant composers, works, or other specific examples.
American
Discuss the origin, repertoire, and stylistic evolution of American hymnody, including examples of pieces, composers, and (crucially) the social-economic factors which shaped the development of the genre.
Discuss the concepts, biographical, social, and philosophical influences shaping the music of Charles Ives.
Survey the major schools, composers, and compositional trends in 19th and early-20th century American popular song, from Stephen Foster through George Gershwin.
[NB: you would not be necessarily be expected to command this information at the beginning of your Master’s degree study, but if, as a matriculating student, you find yourself unable to answer a majority of the questions completely, you should consider remedial and/or review work in advance of your exit examinations.]
Please be prepared to discuss each of the following topics in a well-organized response, citing relevant works, composers, and cultural/contextual factors. Please be as specific as possible, cite specific compositions or other primary sources as your evidence, and plan for a logical response focusing on the most important factors to be completed within the available time period.
Medieval
Baroque:
Classical:
Romantic/19th century:
20th Century:
American
Music Research and Bibliography